ninth February 2026 | James Cove, Marmot Basin, Canada.
We’ve hit Revelstoke & Kicking Horse now its time for Jasper and its ski resort of Marmot Basin. NEW
The highway to Jasper from Lake Louise is doubtless the most effective ski highway journeys on the planet – The Icefields Parkway.
232kms and a 4+ hour drive within the winter.
It passes by a number of the most interesting glaciated mountain terrain that you will see that subsequent to a paved highway.
No townsNo petrol stationsNo cell phone sign
Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise to Jasper. Picture Picture © PlanetSKI
Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise to Jasper. Picture Picture © PlanetSKI
We’ve got posted concerning the journey itself in PlanetSKI’s rolling weblog on our persevering with two-month Canadian ski adventures:
The principle cause we made the journey to Jasper is the fabulous ski resort of Marmot Basin.
It’s a 20-minute drive from Jasper with 914m of vertical first rate and 1,720 acres of assorted terrain.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
Because it says, it has the best base elevation of any ski resort in Canada with the snowboarding going as much as 2,612m.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
30% novice terrain30% intermediate terrain20% superior terrain20% professional terrain
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
Marmot Basin has all of it for my part – nice newbie space, good intermediate and development slopes after which some difficult superior terrain.
What it lacks in dimension it greater than makes up for in selection and high quality of terrain.
Since my first go to in 2015 the best carry, Knob Chair, has gone even larger.
It was an previous and gradual 2-person:
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
For these right here is my report from 2015: Banff to Jasper
It has been changed by this high-speed quad:
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
The carry goes over 120m larger and it opens up a complete vary of superior terrain.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
I selected it because the spot to do a PlanetSKI snow report.
The Vice President of the resort, Brian Rode, explains the brand new carry’s significance:
Not like many North American resorts Marmot Basin truly has some nice on-mountain eating places.
There’s a mid-mountain lodge, and within the base space there are self-service & served choices.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
For me it’s a conventional and old school ski resort the place time slows down and one merely appreciates being within the coronary heart of the Canadian Rockies.
It isn’t flash and it’s actually not brash – only a real and genuine Canadian ski hill.
By European requirements it’s a small ski space, however you understand what you’ve and also you simply must benefit from it and savour your turns.
It isn’t a resort for people who need to clock up the piste miles, however few resorts in North America are.
Should you take the 5 largest resorts throughout the USA and Canada (Whistler, Park Metropolis, Palisades Tahoe, Vail, Large Sky) they’d match into Les3Vallees in France with room to spare.
However, dimension just isn’t the whole lot for my part.
Then there’s the black diamond superior terrain of Marmot Basin.
Right here’s one of many entry gates at Eagle East:
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
And that is what it results in:
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
It was one thing of a revelation to me on this go to.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
I’m happy to say we made it spherical to Tres Hombres:
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
Marmot Basin sees as much as 4,000 individuals per day at busy intervals.
Most of the time it’s pretty abandoned.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
And lets not overlook the views:
Most Europeans fly into Alberta’s capital, Edmonton, to the east and it’s then a 3 and a half hour switch to Jasper.
Calgary, to the south, has extra flight choices however the resort journey comes by way of the Icefields Parkway and the route can, and does, shut because of the climate and avalanche threat.
It has shut two instances already this winter for avalanche management.
Edmonton is a far safer wager.
“Entry is certainly one of our greatest hurdles as we’re not as simple to achieve as different resorts like Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Kicking Horse,” stated the advertising supervisor, Cameron Mahler, to me.
“However that additionally brings some benefits as there are not often carry queues and those that make it right here have made that bit extra of an effort and are dedicated.”
The resort is among the first to open in Canada, often in mid-November and stays open till the primary weekend of Might.
Curiously it’s in style with the British college market.
This February half-term week there shall be round 350 British college youngsters within the resort principally introduced by SkiBound.
The resort can also be in style with the Dutch with direct flights from Amsterdam to Edmonton and, like many Canadian resorts, the Australians are right here in numbers.
The resort works with a variety of UK Tour Operators:
Eagle ExpeditionsEquityGB TravelInspire SkiSelect Faculty TravelSimply SnowsportsSkiBoundSno ‘n’ SkiTrue North Journey
The resort had a really slender escape from the flames of the Jasper Wildfires in July 2024.
A 3rd of all buildings in Jasper and far terrain surrounding the city was destroyed.
The hearth threatened the ski resort.
That’s the Marmot Basin ski space is within the distance on the highest proper of the picture.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
The journey to the resort from Jasper resembles a warfare zone.
Then, just some activates the highway to the highest, the burnt out timber cease because the wind modified route and the resort escaped the flames.
The city of Jasper didn’t fare so nicely and a 3rd of its buildings and far infrastructure have been destroyed.
Re-building although is underway.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
The city had been evacuated so there was no lack of life amoung the inhabitants, although one firefighter died.
In our subsequent put up we shall be reporting on the hearth, its impression on tourism and the way Jasper is rising from the ashes.
It’s a exceptional story of resilience and symbolises the spirit of one of many most interesting ski cities in Canada.
If you wish to discover extra concerning the resort then try its website: Marmot Basin
This autumn the resort shall be at The London Snow in Olympia in London.
Brian and Cameron shall be there to inform you extra.
Marmot Basin comes HIGHLY really useful by PlanetSKI.
Marmot Basin, Jasper, Canada. Picture © PlanetSKI
See right here for different current PlanetSKI resort critiques from Canada:
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